Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore / CC by 2.0
Spotify continues ramping up its video podcasts business with a new deal with YouTube creator Markiplier.
The new deal will see Spotify become the exclusive host of his Distractible and Go! My Favorite Sports Team podcasts. Spotify has been working to grow its video content to rival YouTube and TikTok. Some of the more popular video podcasts on Spotify now include Call Her Daddy and Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain. Spotify announced the new deal at its StreamOn event.
Mark Fischbach has more than 60 million followers across his social media presence, so this is a big get for Spotify. He’s signed with UTA and his fully shot TV series ‘The Edge of Sleep’ is looking for buyers. Markiplier, Wades Barnes, and Bob Muyskens will continue to host the Distractible podcast, which launched in May 2021. Markiplier and Tyler Scheid host the sports companion podcast, Go! My Favorite Sports Team which launched in February 2022.
“Both fans and creators are gravitating towards video content on Spotify, driving heightened consumption on the platform,” adds Julie McNamara, VP Head of Global Podcast Studios. “As we continue to expand our offering with video podcasts, we are delighted to welcome the team behind Distractible and Go! My Favorite Sports Team along with their dedicated community of fans from around the world.”
“I’m positively chuffed to bring video episodes of Distractible and Go! My Favorite Sports Team for the first time ever exclusively to Spotify,” adds Markiplier. “While we love the audio world and still aim to bring you the very best in auditory experiences, by bringing our faces into the mix we aim to give you an as yet unseen dimension to your listening experience.”
Spotify is expanding its video podcast presence despite cutting back on audio-only shows. It axed more than 13 shows in 2022, giving them the boot as it streamlined its operations.